15 Unusual Rituals of Sports Stars

Tiger Woods - Golf

Net worth: $700 million Background: Turned professional at age 20 and has become one of the most successful golfers of all timeNotability: Won 14 major tournaments and spent longer at no. 1 in the world ranking than any other player in historyTraits: Renowned for his mental toughness and ability to stay calm under immense pressureUnusual ritual: Always wears a red shirt when playing on SundaysWhat they say: 'I've worn red ever since my college days basically, or junior golf days - big events on the last day. I just stuck with it out of superstition, and it worked'

Bjorn Borg - Tennis

Net worth: $28.5 million Background: Swedish Tennis star considered to be one of, if not, the greatest ever Notability: Won 11 major tournaments between 1974 and 1981 before retiring at the age of 26 Traits: Nicknamed the Ice Man or Ice Borg because of his incredible ability to stay calm and not let his emotions get the better of him Unusual ritual: Borg used to grow a beard before Wimbledon each year and not shave it off until afterwards What they say: 'The beard has begun'

Jade Jones - Taekwondo

Net worth: UnknownBackground: Welsh martial artist you really wouldn't mess withNotability: Gold medal winner at London Olympics in 2012 aged just 19Traits: Powerhouse who bullies her opponents during fightsUnusual ritual: Wears her lucky Union Jack pants when she fightsWhat they say: 'I always wear them in training, although obviously I washed them! I've got a few more pairs now. I've always been really superstitious'

Serena Williams - Tennis

Net worth: $75 millionBackground: A professional tennis player ranked no. 1 in the world on six separate occasions Notability: One of the most successful female tennis player of all time with 22 major tournament wins, plus doubles titlesTraits: Takes control of games from the baseline with a powerful and consistent styleUnusual ritual: She keeps wearing the same pair of socks when on a winning streak, without washing themWhat they say: 'I have too many superstitious rituals and it's annoying. It's like I have to do it and if I don't then I'll lose'

Michael Jordon - Basketball

Net worth: $1 billion Background: Legendary basketball player famed for his stint with the Chicago Bulls and training shoe lineNotability: Won three NBA titles in a row and is regarded as one of the best ever playersTraits: A great defensive player with an iconic leap. Not afraid to learn from his mistakesUnusual ritual: He used to wear a lucky pair of practice shorts under his game shortsWhat they say: 'I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed'

Mo Farah - Athletics

Net worth: $5 million Background: British long distance runner famed for his Mobot celebration Notability: Multiple Olympic and world champion in several eventsTraits: Strong finisher and quiet family manUnusual ritual: Shaving his head and blasting out gangsta rapWhat they say: 'Every athlete has a pre-race routine to get focused. Mine is to shave my head. I like feeling the smoothness of the scalp and splashing cold water on it once I'm done'

Sammy Fahra - Poker

Net worth: $100 millionBackground: Lebanese player who was runner up in 2003 World Series of PokerNotability: Three-time WSOP bracelet winnerTraits: Nicknamed Mister Cool, he's known for his relaxed playing styleUnusual ritual: Always has an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth while playing, despite not being a smokerWhat they say: 'I'm so hot, my cigarette's going to light!'

Lyoto Machida - MMA

Net worth: $4 millionBackground: Japanese-Brazilian fighter known as the 'Dragon' Notability: Headlining UFC fighter considered to be one of the best in the worldTraits: Uses a unique and diverse style that combines different elements of his trainingUnusual ritual: Drinks his own urine every day (as does every member of his family)What they say: 'People think it's a joke. I never said it in the United States because I don't know how the fans will react. I drink my urine every morning like a natural medicine'

Bruno Foster - Poker

Net worth: $1.25 millionBackground: Brazilian poker playerNotability: Fourth in the all time Brazil earnings listTraits: Practices positive mental health and energy to give him confidence in each tournamentUnusual ritual: Likes to watch emotional videos before he plays, including The Voice or ...Got Talent to improve his state of mind. What they say: 'The good energy and good vibrations give me more patience and focus to play. In a psychological game like poker, your state of spirit and feelings really matter and make a difference in your results'

Rafael Nadal - Tennis

Net worth: $50 millionBackground: Spanish tennis player, one of the most successful of all time Notability: 14 major tournament wins and a rivalry with Roger Federer thought to be one of the best everTraits: Baseline powerhouse that likes to outmuscle opponents. Very athletic and never gives up on a pointUnusual ritual: Many superstitions but always has to have his drinks bottles lined up with the labels facing the baseline he is playing fromWhat they say: 'I'm only superstitious on the tennis court'

Laura Trott - Cycling

Net worth: UnknownBackground: An English road and track specialist, she originally took up the sport to lose weightNotability: Double Olympic Champion from the 2012 London games. Most successful rider in the history of the European Track ChampionshipsTraits: Flexible rider who can win sprint and endurance racesUnusual ritual: After winning the Junior World Championships with one wet sock, she now steps on a wet towel before each raceWhat they say: 'I am very superstitious. I trod on a wet towel before winning the Junior World Championships and now I have to do that every time'

Felipe Massa - F1

Net worth: $8 millionBackground: Brazilian F1 driver who has driven for WilliamsNotability: 11 race winsTraits: Fast, wild and erratic as a rookieUnusual ritual: Wears special underwear to race in, which he doesn't wash until after race weekendWhat they say: 'I have special underwear which I race in most of the time. [I wear them] just for the Saturday and Sunday. I don't wash but, two days, what's the problem?'

Stuart Broad - Cricket

Net worth: $5 millionBackground: Fast bowler and batsman whose father also played for EnglandNotability: Pacey bowler that's not popular with Australians after refusing to walk after being caught outTraits: Pacey bowler that's not popular with Australians after refusing to walk after being caught outUnusual ritual: Sprays on aftershave before going out to bowlWhat they say: 'I actually have a habit where I have to put a bit of Paco Rabanne Million on before I go out and bowl. It's kind of a superstition because the first time I did it was before the Ashes in 2009 when we won so I've done it ever since'

Michael Phelps - Swimming

Net worth: $55 millionBackground: A record a 22 Olympic medalsNotability: A record a 22 Olympic medals, including 18 goldTraits: East huge amounts and watches films to relax before winning racesUnusual ritual: Walks to the starting block, takes off his headphones that have been blasting Michael Jackson, and swings his arms three timesWhat they say: 'They feel more secure when doing these things,' said Dr. Jens Kleinert, a Sports Psychology professor at the German Sports University Cologne. 'It can be a way for them to concentrate'

Usain Bolt - Sprinting

Net worth: $30 millionBackground: Jamaican sprinter who dominates the sportNotability: Fastest man in historyTraits: Blowing away the competition and then celebrating in styleUnusual ritual: Weird eating habits before big races - mostly at McDonaldsWhat they say: 'I had some plantains, some hash browns, fruit, then a wrap from McDonald's. For lunch I had rice and pork and some apple juice. It had vegetables in it, so don't judge me!'